Question of the Day

Wolf teeth are permanent first premolars (P1) seen in the upper (maxillary) arcade of 20-60% of horses. Wolf teeth (P1) are caniform (i.e., canine-like) and erupt at around five to six months.

It is uncommon to have wolf teeth in the lower (mandibular) arcade.

Many horses that work with a bit in their mouth benefit from having the wolf teeth removed.

Because not all horses have wolf teeth, the first so-called “cheek tooth” in horses is actually the second premolar (P2).

Follow this link to a Merck Manual tooth eruption table. References vary by about six months, but here is a good rule of thumb for permanent tooth eruption in horses: I1-2.5 yr, I2-3.5 yr, I3-4.5 yr, C-4-5 yr.